UG Research Experience Placements

The Research Experience Placement (REP) are intended to encourage students to consider postgraduate education or a career in environmental science. During a REP, an undergraduate student joins the hosting organisation for 6-8 weeks to complete a short-term research project within the environmental sciences.

In recent years, NERC have repurposed the Research Experience Placement (REP) scheme, broadening its scope to address both the quantitative skills gap (e.g. mathematics, statistics, computing, engineering) as well as demographic and diversity-related challenges in the environmental sciences. As such, we particularly welcome applications from candidates within these two groups.

All advertised projects are designed to meet the following criteria:

• Have a clearly defined objective;
• Be within the science remit of NERC;
• Be feasible for a student to complete within the timescale of the award (6-10 weeks);
• Include more than a purely computer/modelling component i.e. some element of fieldwork, data collection, activity to give an understanding of the wider context;
• Give scope for thought and initiative on the part of the student and should not use the student as a general assistant;

Students are subject to eligibility criteria to be able to apply.

The REP placement scheme is open to undergraduate students from any science discipline. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for a REP. The students must:

• Be undertaking their first undergraduate degree (or integrated Masters),
• Must be a registered student at either University of Aberdeen of Queen’s University Belfast at the time of application and for the duration of the placement,
  • Students in their final year who have graduated and no longer have student status at the time of the placement start are not eligible,
• As part of our commitment to reducing the quantitative skills gap in the environmental sciences, applicants can only apply for a placement in a differentdepartment/disciplineto their undergraduate degree,
  • For example, undergraduate students studying for a degree in any biological sciences discipline, will not be eligible to apply for any REP placement projects hosted within either of our biological sciences schools.
• Must be eligible for subsequent NERC PhD funding (Details of eligibility for PhD studentships can be found here).

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE

This year as part of our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; and to address a shortage of quantitative skills in the environmental sciences; applicants who identify with one or more of the following under-represented groups will be prioritised:

• Black UK/Home candidates
• first-generation students
• students from low socio-economic background
• disabled students
• studying a quantitative discipline

Definition of terms

First generation student – this is the first person (or first generation) from a family to go to university i.e. your parent/guardian did not attend university

Socio-economic background – this takes into account your guardians’ educational qualifications, your guardians’ occupations, household income and reliance on government support before you turned 18.

A salary is available at the National Living Wage for each placement. A further £500 will be available for project research and training expenses if required.

Research and training expenses could include, for example, travel costs associated with site visits, critical training, field or lab equipment etc, the costs of which must be itemised and justified in the final report.

Successful candidates will be employed on a temporary contract by Queen’s University Belfast and will be paid an hourly rate of approximately £12.71 (Apr 2026). Holiday pay will also be paid. This salary will be paid monthly up on submission of an accurate timesheet, and work hours must be logged.

Applicants should apply by sending the following documentation to quartiles@qub.ac.uk by the stated deadline:

1. This application form;
2. A 2-page CV (please include any placements/internships indicating whether these were paid/unpaid);
3. Your record card / provisional transcript;
   • University of Aberdeen students can request record cards from studentrecords@abdn.ac.uk or you can download this from the student portal
   • Queen’s University Belfast students can request provisional transcripts from the school administrator or you can download this from the student portal

You must also complete the EDI form linked in the application form, as part of your application. A unique ID number will be generated upon completion of the EDI form – please include this in your application. Your application will not be considered if you have not completed this form.

Candidates may apply for a maximum of ONE placement project. Multiple applications and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please be advised that you cannot apply for a project within the school or discipline you currently study within e.g. a biological sciences student cannot apply to do a biological sciences REPs placement.

Please download the application form here: REPs Summer Placement Application Form 2026.

Applications will be reviewed by the project supervisory team after the deadline. Supervisors will identify the most suitable candidate. This candidate will be invited to participate in a brief 15-20 minute interview via Microsoft Teams.

Interviews will be held by a panel of QUARTILES academics from across UOA and QUB, plus an Equality & Diversity representative. The project supervisor will not be present for your interview.

You will be assessed on a variety of aspects of your application, not only your academic qualifications. Your potential to successfully deliver the project is critical, however we recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different and opportunities are not always evenly distributed. The application form allows you to identify any circumstances, past or present, that you feel might have influenced the opportunities you had/have to develop skills related to this application. Such circumstances may be directly or indirectly related to education per se. Should you choose to disclose any such information (this is entirely optional), this will allow the panel to assess, from your point of view, your skills relative to opportunities. Information of this type is confidential and will only be read by individuals who are integral to the interview and selection process.

Participation in the REPs scheme comes with a few stipulations, everything you need to know is below:

• The placement must take place for 6-8 weeks;
• Placements should take place between June and September 2026;
• The successful students will be required to complete temporary employment contracts at the University of Aberdeen in order for payment to be processed. These contracts restrict you to 189 hours of paid work – any work over an above this cannot be paid.
• Contracts must be reviewed and approved by HR before any work on the placement begins.
• You must keep a detailed and accurate record of all hours worked. This will have to be signed off by your project supervisor on a monthly basis.
• Your record of hours worked (dates & hours) must be submitted alongside monthly timesheets detailing your weekly hours in order for payment to be processed. These must be signed off by the project supervisor.
• At the end of your placement you will be required to complete an online report for NERC – a link to this will be provided;
• We will also ask you to write a brief testimonial for the website and a blog post about your experience as part of this placement scheme.

You will be allocated a QUARTILES PhD student as a mentor for the duration of your summer placement. This will be a student who works in a similar or related area of research and may even be within the same research group.

In addition to this there will be opportunities to engage with our QUARTILES PhD students if you wish to learn more about their research and what it is like to undertake a PhD at either the University of Aberdeen or Queen’s University Belfast.

• Title: Life on litter: exploring microbial colonisation of plastic waste
• Lead Supervisor: Julianne Megaw (j.megaw@qub.ac.uk) and Bethanie Allens (ballen13@qub.ac.uk), School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
• Discipline: Environmental microbiology
• Proposed start date: Monday 3^rd August 2026 – 25^th September 2026 (8 weeks)
• Location: All the work associated with this project (Laboratory analyses) will take place on campus at Queen’s University Belfast
• Lab & Field Work: This project involves minimal, low-intensity fieldwork limited to the opportunistic collection of environmental litter. Sampling can therefore be carried out locally and flexibly, requiring no extended field campaigns, travel, or significant time commitment.

Project description: 

Plastic pollution has created a new ecosystem known as the “plastisphere,” where microorganisms colonise litter surfaces via biofilm formation. Understanding how microbes interact with plastics is important for advancing our knowledge of the impact of plastic pollution on microbial life, and for identifying organisms with the potential to degrade plastics.

This project will investigate the diversity and behaviour of microbes colonising environmental litter, with a focus on culturing, identification, and assessing biofilm-forming ability, while exploring the potential to uncover isolates with plastic-degrading capabilities.

Objectives – The student will:

• Isolate and culture microorganisms colonising plastic litter samples.
• Identify isolates using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
• Characterise biofilm formation in selected isolates using standard quantitative assays.

Training & Development: 

-This placement will provide a structured and supportive training programme designed to develop both practical laboratory skills and transferable research skills. At the outset, the student will receive training in core microbiological techniques, including aseptic technique, environmental sample processing, microbial culturing, isolation, and identification. These hands-on skills will form the foundation of the project and are essential for careers in environmental and life sciences.

-The student will be trained in microbial identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, gaining exposure to modern analytical technologies widely used in research and industry. This will include understanding how spectral data are generated and learning how to interpret outputs for microbial identification, thereby developing confidence in handling and analysing experimental data.

-A key component of the placement is the development of quantitative skills. The student will perform biofilm assays, generating datasets that require processing, visualisation, and interpretation. They will receive guidance in data recording, basic statistical thinking, and the presentation of results, helping to address the recognised need for stronger quantitative skills in environmental sciences.

-Beyond technical training, the placement will support the development of broader research competencies. The student will gain experience in experimental design, troubleshooting, and critical evaluation of results. Regular interactions with supervisors and participation in lab meetings will further enhance their ability to communicate scientific ideas and engage effectively in collaborative research environments.

-Finally, the student will be supported in producing the final project report and will be encouraged to give regular presentations during lab group meetings. This will strengthen skills in scientific writing, data presentation, and oral communication, providing valuable preparation for future academic study or employment in STEM fields.

• Title: Can the effects of nitrogen deposition be detected in a peat core?
• Lead Supervisor: Prof. Graeme Swindles (g.swindles@qub.ac.uk) Co‑Supervisors: Dr Evelyn Keaveney, Dr Donal Houston
• Discipline: Geography
• Proposed Start Date: 3rd August 2026 – 11^th September 2026 (6 weeks)
• Location: All laboratory analyses will be carried out on campus at QUB (Elmwood Avenue).
• Laboratory & Field Components • Laboratory analyses of peat samples • Local day trip to a peatland

Project Overview

Peatlands are major long‑term carbon sinks and key regulators of the nitrogen cycle, yet increasing atmospheric nitrogen deposition poses a significant threat to their nutrient balance, decomposition pathways, and carbon storage capacity. This project investigates whether historical nitrogen deposition can be detected and quantified in peat cores from Irish peatlands. Depth‑resolved measurements of total nitrogen, C:N ratios, nitrogen isotopes (δ¹⁵N), and organic matter composition will be used to identify signals of enhanced nitrogen loading and associated shifts in microbial processing. By comparing reconstructed nitrogen accumulation histories with known regional deposition records, the project aims to determine how external nitrogen inputs have altered peatland biogeochemistry, whether thresholds of nitrogen saturation can be identified, and how these changes influence long‑term carbon sequestration. Ultimately, this research evaluates the extent to which peat cores can serve as reliable archives of past atmospheric nitrogen deposition and peatland responses to anthropogenic nutrient enrichment.

Research Experience Placement Objectives

• Loss‑on‑Ignition Analysis
• Conduct LOI and bulk density analysis on peat cores.
• C/N Analysis
• Prepare peat samples for total carbon and total nitrogen analysis using a CHNS analyser.
• Radiocarbon Sample Preparation
• Prepare peat samples for AMS ¹⁴C dating.
• Numerical Analysis and Modelling
• Analyse existing nitrogen datasets to assess spatial and temporal patterns of deposition and peatland response.

Training & Development

Full training will be provided for all laboratory techniques, sample preparation methods, and analytical procedures used throughout the project.

• Title: Determining effects of slope on blanket peat carbon stocks
• Lead Supervisor: Gill Plunkett (g.plunkett@qub.ac.uk) and Rebecca Logie-Inions (rlogieinions01@qub.ac.uk), Archaeology-Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast
• Discipline: Palaeoecology
• Proposed start date: Monday 3^rd August 2026 – 11^th September 2026 ( 6 weeks)
• Location: All the experimental work associated with this project (laboratory analyses) will take place on campus at Queen’s University Belfast. Please consider this when applying since the budget for research costs, including travel and accommodation, is limited.
• Lab & Field Work: Laboratory analyses of peat samples. This project includes fieldwork in the Garron Plateau, Co. Antrim.

Project Overview

This project will quantify how carbon storage varies along a blanket‑peat slope on the Garron Plateau, using a combination of field measurements and laboratory analyses of peat physical properties. The work forms a discrete, self‑contained component of an ongoing QUARTILES PhD project investigating peat initiation, development and ecosystem‑service potential in Northern Ireland’s blanket bogs. The REP student will work alongside the PhD student but will address an independent research question with its own dataset, analysis and interpretation.

Blanket peat depth varies markedly with slope position but the implications of these variations for carbon storage are poorly constrained. The project will examine if carbon stock per unit area is primarily a function of peat depth, or whether changes in slope impact peat density and organic‑matter content. The student will participate in fieldwork to complete depth probing of the peatland along a series of transects and to collect a number of short cores along the transects, including slopes.

In the lab, the student will subsample cores at defined depth intervals and undertake loss‑on‑ignition and bulk‑density measurements to quantify organic‑matter content and dry‑mass accumulation. These data will be combined with depth measurements to calculate carbon stock per square metre for contrasting slope positions. The student will then analyse how carbon storage varies with depth, slope and peat physical properties, and will evaluate whether simple depth‑based estimates over‑ or under‑estimate true carbon stocks.

Training & Development

The project provides training in field coring, depth surveying, laboratory methods (LOI, bulk density), data handling and quantitative analysis. It gives the student ownership of a clearly defined research question within the NERC remit, develops their analytical and interpretative skills, and contributes directly to understanding the ecosystem‑service potential of Northern Ireland’s blanket peatlands.